NOJA Power’s OSM Recloser provides engineers with better data to tackle the technical challenges associated with increasing distributed generation and bolster network visibility.
Many legacy distribution networks, and their sensors, were designed to manage 50/60Hz only.
Non-linear devices and power electronics throughout the distribution grid provide a new layer of load complexity, but this challenge of understanding network flow and fault modelling can be confirmed through empirical methods using distributed intelligent network assets.
Fortunately, distribution network protection assets such as automatic circuit reclosers provide a grid wide view of the system.
Whilst conventional SCADA provides a higher level, lower sample rate monitoring of system status and parameters, oftentimes these legacy systems miss critical details such as harmonics or power factor changes over time.
This classic model of network monitoring was sufficient when load complexity was low and generation was centrally controlled, but with more distributed sources, utility engineers need better data on the local network performance to detect problems before major failures occur.
To assist utility engineers with solving this challenge, NOJA Power’s OSM Recloser provides a platform for oscillography capture and remote transfer of these sample files back to the control centre of the network.
Oscillography files are captured in industry standard COMTRADE format, allowing utility engineers to analyse the current and voltage waveforms throughout the network. When combined with traditional analysis methods, this empirical data allows many benefits, including:
- Improved accuracy of network modelling
- Detection of harmonic/power quality issues prior to equipment failure
- Fault location information
Oscillography capture can be triggered automatically by faults at the recloser site, or by a control signal issued to the recloser. These captures can be stored locally within the ACR, ready for retrieval by engineers through either secure FTP or remote access using the Power Quality Software Suite from NOJA Power.
NOJA Power Group Managing Director, Neil O’Sullivan, said, “Our RC-10 and RC-15 recloser controllers are not only a protection relay and RTU they are also a comprehensive power quality monitor and our separate PQS software can be used to make extensive power quality analysis including oscillography.
“The power quality data is also available for remote upload using PQS including file transfer protocol (FTP) capability.”
NOJA Power said that its core objective is the development of technology to address modern distribution network challenges, and through partnerships with local utilities, these capabilities are available for all users of the NOJA Power OSM Recloser platform.
Featured image: William Edge/shutterstock.com
